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Choose Your Application
Select the application that matches your goals so we can guide you to the right next step.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted at any time!
Through our established transfer partnerships, you can seamlessly transfer to a four-year college or university, while our certificate programs can prepare you with the credentials needed to head straight into the workforce.
Explore all of our offerings in the City Colleges of Chicago catalog and our funding opportunities.
Classes |
Registration Deadline |
Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
| Summer: | May 23, 2026 | June 3, 2026 |
Steps to Apply
Step 1 |
Step 2 |
Step 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fill out the application here. | Check your email for your acceptance, along with your username and password. | Take a look at our admissions guide to learn more about what you will need to start your City Colleges journey. |
Adult Education (ESL, GED)
Advance your career by learning English or completing your high school education for free. Our English as a Second Language (ESL) and high school equivalency courses welcome students from all backgrounds and are offered at various times throughout the day. Additionally, we offer pathways that can help you transition into college credit or job credential programs.
Steps to Apply
Step 1 |
Step 2 |
Step 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fill out the application in English here.
Fill out the application in Spanish here. Get the info you need in Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, and Tagalog here. |
Check your email for your acceptance, along with your username and password. | A City Colleges staff member will follow up with you directly. |
Continuing Education (Professional Development, Personal Development)
Whether you want to round out your resume or find a new hobby, we offer a variety of affordable learning opportunities for students of all ages. Our personal and professional development courses can improve both your job prospects and your quality of life.
Explore all of our Continuing Education offerings here.
Early College
Still in high school? Our Early College program allows students to enroll in college-level courses, reducing both the time and the money needed to earn a college degree.
Steps to Apply
Step 1 |
Step 2 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Fill out the application here. | Connect to an Early College coordinator to discuss the next steps. |
Choose Your College
City Colleges of Chicago
(Select a school to find out more)
Discover Our Programs and Pathways
We have seven colleges, all of which can help you:
Earn an industry certificate
Get an associate degree
Transfer to a 4-year university
Advance Your Education—and Your Future
City Colleges gives you a smart choice for your future: It’s a high-quality education that you can afford
Accredited Programs
Each of our colleges is independently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, meaning you can access federal/state financial aid and grants while at City Colleges and save thousands of dollars on your education. The credits you earn here can then help you transfer to a four-year college or university to earn your bachelor’s degree.
Convenient Connections
Student Support
Faculty & Staff
Our faculty and staff are diverse—just like our students and our city. As experts in their fields, they not only provide high-quality instruction, but they can help you get connected to high-quality opportunities and experiences.
Jade Villalobos
Harold Washington College
“City Colleges prepared me for the mindset and work ethic of college. They gave me the support and resources I needed to succeed. I didn’t expect to be able to pursue my bachelor’s degree because money was an issue, but thanks to Harold Washington College, I’m living my dream.”
Samira Ali
Harry S Truman College
“My experience exceeded all my expectations … Truman has not only helped me unlock new passions but has helped me succeed in my courses and helped me make plans for my future.”
Joseph Rice
Kennedy-King College
“Being together with people from different cultures and upbringings and coming together to create something beautiful—is truly amazing.”
DeMar English
Malcolm X College
“I thought I would come to Malcolm X, [and] I would do my two years… I never would have thought I would be teaching at a university like Rush, or in a doctoral program. [Malcolm X College] changed my life.”
Briana Brewer
Olive-Harvey College
“My mom and I visited Olive-Harvey College, which specializes in supply chain management education, and I instantly felt a sense of belonging. I thought, ‘I can totally see myself getting the help and assistance I need here.’”
Jonathan Gallegos
Richard J. Daley College
“I came to Daley College and started learning about robotics, pneumatics, and hydraulics. It was the greatest experience. I wish I would have done this sooner, but it’s never too late.”
Sabine Ramirez
Wilbur Wright College
“I came to Daley College and started learning about robotics, pneumatics, and hydraulics. It was the greatest experience. I wish I would have done this sooner, but it’s never too late.”